Advancing molecular bioscience

Scientific Outreach Grants

We are pleased to announce the awardees of the next round of Biochemical Society Scientific Outreach Grants. These grants support innovative and engaging events or activities for school children, young scientists or the general public.

Street Science (Ben Pawson)

Street Science is Edinburgh International Science Festival’s free outreach activity, which takes place across Edinburgh and the Lothians during the annual Science Festival.

Street Science consists of three-wheeler ‘ice cream seller’ style busking bikes, which transport science props and act as a focal point for fun, interactive demonstrations and shows. Two science communicators operate each bike on the street, in shopping centers, festivals, stations, and family venues such as museums and art centers.

Pass it on (Cerian Farrant, Techniquest Glyndwr)

The aim of the project is to develop a hands-on, interactive workshop based around the inheritance of characteristics which are passed on through generations. The workshop will be developed for key stage two pupils and trialled in a selection of schools before rolling out to other schools in the future. The main element of the workshop will allow pupils to find out what DNA is and extract their own DNA.

Solving the Mystery: Pollution Solution (Liz Granger, University of Manchester)

Students will be in charge of solving the mystery of why the fish in a river are dying, whilst learning about different types of environmental pollution and biological indicators. Each student will be presented with a map of the river and surrounding areas and either a pack of testimonials or undergraduate drama students/workshop demonstrators will act out the different character testimonials and take questions.

The Healthy Lives, Healthy People Schools Conference at Aston University on 12 July 2013 aims to enthuse young people and inspire them to increase their understanding of bioscience in relation to health.

The Biochemical Society is supporting the stand ‘Healthy diet and happy blood vessels’. The stand aims to emphasise how balanced diets can support health of the blood vessels. The demonstrations will investigate the characteristics of lipids that make it damaging to the blood vessels.

The object of this event is to educate, inspire and entertain school children and family groups about the magnificent (and devastating) things that microbes can do. Highlighting how molecular level research can be utilised and discuss the roles that microbes play in shaping our environment and how microbes influence the food, health, and green energy sectors of our economy.

Everything about me (Steven Rossington, University of Salford)

‘Everything about me’ will showcase the science of the human body by highlighting through a serious of spectacular chemistry demonstrations the biological and chemical importance of the elements constituting the human body. There will be over 25 events held at The University of Salford and/or selected UK based secondary schools commencing.

The project will involve work with schools and colleges throughout the UK, using molecular modelling (through computing and actual model making) to introduce the idea that certain drugs fit into specific shapes of a host protein (or enzyme).

Science is Fun (Ms Svitlana Kurinna, ETH Zurich)

The Open Day “Science is Fun!” will be organized by the Volunteer Team consisting of college/PhD students from two universities located in Kiev with groups of students from three secondary public schools. First, the Volunteer Team and students will play the “ice-breaker” game as they separate into teams of 5. Teams receive the names representing natural sciences: “Antibodies” proceed to study immunology; “Nucleotides” isolate DNA from tomatoes; “Viruses” learn protective equipment and hygienic behavior; “Cells” will look at their cheek keratinocytes under the microscope; last but not least, the “Biochemists” perform colorimetric reactions for proteins and sugars in different foods.